All-New Ford-Powered AC Cobra Returns To USA
The Shelby Cobra is one of the most iconic sports cars of all time.
The marriage of the British AC Ace with an American V8 was a perfect union of handling and power that created a serious challenger to the European sports cars of the 1960s.
Fewer than 1,000 were built before the decade was over, but its enduring appeal led to countless replicas and continuation cars being produced in the decades since while the values of the originals climbed into the millions. But now there’s a new one. Like, actually new.
AC Cars has rebooted the Cobra as the GT Roadster. It looks like the original, but is a couple of inches larger and features an aluminum monocoque and carbon fiber body.
AC says the car weighs about 3,200 pounds, but that the chassis is stiff despite its open top design.
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The interior is also fully modern, but rendered in a classic look with centrally-mounted analog gauges above a touchscreen display.
The vehicle is built in the U.K., but once again powered by a Ford V8. This time around it’s the Mustang’s 5.0-liter Coyote engine tuned to either 460 hp or 663 hp with a supercharger added. AC offers it with either a six-speed manual or 10-speed automatic transmission. The supercharged model capable of a 3.4 second 0-60 mph sprint.
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AC Cars America has been established to sell it in the U.S., but its job is pretty easy right now. The company plans to build just 250 examples for worldwide sales over the next two years and they’re all spoken for at a starting price of $276,792.
“I am honored and thrilled to collaborate with [CEO] David Conza and the incredible team at AC Cars, and lead the revival of AC Cars in America,” AC Cars America CEO Jeremy Stein said in a news release.
“I look forward to introducing a new era of performance and craftsmanship to US clients while staying true to the spirit that has made AC Cars legendary.”
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